A Thousand Roads Home
Page 31
Some of you have been with me from the beginning, others I’ve picked up along the way. But all of you are in my heart. Every time you get in touch, on Facebook, Twitter, via the website, or in person at an author event, to let me know how much you’ve enjoyed my books, you give me a gift. You really do. So, the first of what will be many thanks (brace yourselves), goes to you! I hope you’ve enjoyed A Thousand Roads Home. Waiting to hear your reactions is both terrifying and exciting!
I have to confess that this book holds a very special place in my heart. Researching and writing A Thousand Roads Home has been an unforgettable experience that has had a profound effect on my life. I’ve found myself changed and looking at those who are affected by homelessness with fresh eyes. While this book is fiction, over the past eighteen months, these characters have become special and real to me. The idea for Ruth’s character has been bubbling away in my head for nearly a decade now. Ruth’s character was inspired by someone in my life who was diagnosed with autism as a young child. I’ll just call her ‘A’, because she’s young and her story is hers to tell, not mine. But I can share with you that unlike Ruth’s character, A has always had the support of incredible parents and siblings who ensure she gets to live her best life. Every day. I’ve watched her parents fight to ensure she gets professional help both in and out of school. I’ve watched them make changes at home, some small, others bigger, to ensure that A lives in an environment that is not stressful for her. And as a result, this young girl, whom I love dearly, is growing up to be pretty spectacular. A testament to her family, who are warriors of love for their child.
My research into autism brought me into contact with many diverse and interesting people. And I learnt this truth: When you meet one person with autism you have met one person with autism. Each individual manifests autistic characteristics in an unique way. There are of course many traits that are relatively common, some of which you might recognise in Ruth. I did borrow a couple of A’s habits – the knuckle popping, the need for order and place, the obsession with books (we get that, right?!). A’s favourite is Harry Potter. When I decided that Ruth should also love one book more than any other, I looked to my own library at home and scanned the titles of my favourite reads. Hundreds of books that I’ll never part with. And then I saw the perfect book – my first edition, hardback copy of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, bought in 2004. I’ve not read it quite as often as Ruth has, but it’s one of the few that I go back to every few years. Be happy, persevere, is advice that I try to remember in my life. Sincere thanks to Dean Koontz, for giving me permission to use Odd references in my book. But more than that Dean, thank you for giving me so many hours of joy through all of your reads.
Homelessness is one of the central themes in the story – both from the perspective of a rough sleeper and a family in emergency social housing. With almost 10,000 people without a home in Ireland and almost 1.6 billion without adequate housing worldwide, it was easy to find people to talk to during my research. I was deeply moved by the personal accounts I heard and I did my best to understand. There’s no doubt that the causes of homelessness are complex – a big pot of poverty, lack of affordable housing, mental health issues, addiction and family breakdown. Ruth, DJ and Tom’s stories are just one spoon out of that big pot, but do reflect some of the issues that the homeless face every day. I would like to thank Francis Doherty and Father Peter McVerry from the Peter McVerry Trust. To learn more about the incredible work they do for the homeless, please visit www.pmvtrust.ie, where a small donation of money or time can make a difference. Thanks also to Valerie Whitford, who helped me understand the processes involved when you present yourself as homeless to the council, as Ruth and DJ did. Dr Annmarie Kavanagh, of Whiterock Family Clinic, thank you for taking the time to answer my strange and awkward enquiries about life as a GP in Ireland. As with all my books, despite my many months researching the issues, I’m sure that there are some errors. All mine! Please forgive me for any that jar.
Recently, Eugenie, my agent, called me a method author, because of the lengths I went to in my research for this book. Here’s a couple of examples: To get into the head of Ruth, who you now know is socially awkward, I spent a weekend avoiding eye contact with everyone I met. And as a result, I realised that I spent a lot of time looking at people’s shoes! And, in order to understand how hard it is to find affordable housing, I took on Ruth’s persona and situation, pretending I was about to be evicted. I spent a month trying to find a two-bed flat in Co. Dublin. At the time, there were 596 properties available, of which three were in my price bracket. Two were house shares and would not accept children and the last flat was gone when I rang to enquire. I broadened my search, looked at one bedroomed flats, extended the location, but each time came back with nothing. With sinking realisation, I knew that had I been Ruth, without any family or friends to support me, I too would have been homeless.
During Storm Ophelia in 2017, I was working on edits for A Thousand Roads Home. My heart and mind were preoccupied with the rough sleepers. I have nothing but awe and respect for the many volunteers who relentlessly helped and supported those at risk, then and now. In Wexford, small and big kindnesses got us through the big snow storm. Us H’s were stranded behind seven-foot snow drifts until a lovely neighbour, John Roche, rescued us! Thank you, Catherine and John! And speaking of rescues, two men – Declan Cunningham (Advanced Paramedic) and Corporal Steve Holloway (Irish Defence Force), did something quite wonderful that I felt deserves mention. They trekked through snow drifts to help a little boy who was extremely sick and trapped at home. They then carried him back over the drifts, on foot, to the awaiting army ambulance that sat 3kms away. The two paramedics in A Thousand Roads Home have been named in their honour, a small thank you for their kindness and bravery. Also, the librarian who helps Tom is named after the wonderful Jackie Lynam, a librarian at Pearse Street Library. And the journalist who writes a life changing story about Ruth, DJ and Tom is named after Daily Mail editor Linda Maher. Both ladies I admire and respect. I hope they enjoy being part of this story. And Marian McBay, Emma Smith and Marie O’Halloran helped me name The Silver Sands Lodge when I reached out on Facebook for inspiration. Thank you!
I would like to thank the clever book retailers, media, book bloggers and libraries who work tirelessly to find new ways to get books into the laps of readers. Your passionate love of books helps authors like me, every day.
My publisher HarperCollins will always have my gratitude. The Irish gang: Tony Purdue, Mary Byrne, Eoin McHugh, Ciara Swift and the UK gang: Charlie Redmayne, Kate Elton, Kimberley Young, Lynne Drew, Kate Bradley, Eleanor Goymer, Elizabeth Dawson, Jean Marie Kelly, Jaime Frost, and Eloisa Clegg. I visited the Harper offices in London recently and while I was hugging everyone hello (I’m a big hugger!), Kim said to my agent, ‘Carmel is family to us.’ It meant a huge deal to me because that’s how I feel too.
I’ve deliberately singled out Charlotte Ledger, my editor & friend, here. Her support, advice, encouragement and insightful edits have pushed me gently and firmly to make this book the very best it can be. I trust Charlotte implicitly and know that when it came to the editor lottery, I hit the jackpot.
To my agents Rowan Lawton and Eugenie Furniss and all at James Grant Group, your expert guidance is appreciated more than you could ever know. Special thanks to Eugenie, who has worked so closely with me on this story, and helped me more than once tease out a plot line.
Keeping me sane while I juggle struggle are my co-founders of The Inspiration Project and besties, Hazel Gaynor and Catherine Ryan Howard. We seem to find a way to talk on WhatsApp everyday about books, life, family and occasionally gin. When we teach our workshops, we tell our attendees about the importance of finding your tribe in the writing industry. And I’ve got a damn fine one! In addition to Hazel and Catherine, I am grateful to all of those who make me smile whenever we get together – Claudia Carroll, Debbie Johnson, Shane Dunphy, Louise Hall, Caroline Grace Cassidy, Caroline Busher, S
heila Forsey, Fionnuala Kearney, Sinead Moriarty, Alex Barclay, Cecelia Ahern, Margaret Madden, Maria Nolan, Sophie Grenham, Elizabeth Murray, Madeleine Keane, Vanessa O’Loughlin and Tracy Brennan. Special thanks to Marian Keyes, for ticking off one of the items on my bucket list, by endorsing this book. It means a huge deal.
Thank you to the talented writers at The Imagine Write Inspire Group, keep chasing your dreams. And thank you to my friends on the Wexford Literary Festival committee. It’s always fun when we get together. To all at TV3 on the Elaine show, but in particular, Elaine Crowley and Sinead Dalton, thank you for letting me be a part of your gang.
If success in life is measured by the quality of friendships, well, I should take a bow, because I’ve done good! Fiona and Philip Deering, Davnet & Kevin Murphy, Gillian and Ken Jones, Siobhan and Paul O’Brien, Sarah and John Kearney, Catherine and Graham Kavanagh, Caroline and Shay Hodnett, Liz Bond, Siobhan Kirby, Maria Murtagh, Margaret & Lisa Conway – you are all wonderful!
And saving the best to last – it’s time to thank to my family. There’s lots of us, which means that there is a whole lot of love and laughter when we get together. Tina and Mike O’Grady, Fiona, Michael, Amy and Louis Gainfort, John, Fiona and Matilda O’Grady, Michelle and Anthony Mernagh, Sheryl O’Grady, Ann and Nigel Payne, Michael and Rita, Evelyn Harrington, Adrienne Harrington and George Whyte, Evelyn, Seamus and Patrick Moher, Leah Harrington, Ann Murphy (who the book is dedicated to) and John, Ben, Abby and Sean Furlong, Eva Corrigan, my beautiful step-daughter, my children, Amelia and Nate, who make my life a brighter place every day, and last but never least my husband Roger, Mr H, who has been my constant since the day we met. Tom’s character has a date that is special for him and Cathy: 18th October. Well, it happens to be a special one for us too – our wedding anniversary. When HarperCollins set this date as Publication day for A Thousand Roads Home, I got chills. A good omen, right? I hope this date is as lucky for the book as it’s been for me.
Before I go, just one more thing. If you find yourself lost on a thousand roads, for whatever reason, my wish for you is that you get to find your way home soon.
Be happy, persevere.
Carmel x
Book Club Questions
Discuss the meaning of the title A Thousand Roads Home.
Carmel Harrington’s stories always have a strong message, offering inspiration and hope. Has this novel changed you or broadened your perspective? What do you think are the key themes in the novel?
Homelessness is an issue that affects us globally. Did the book’s depiction of rough sleepers and families in emergency social housing change your opinion in any way? Have you learned something new or been exposed to different ideas about people who find themselves without a home?
Ruth did not have the support and understanding of her family as a child and young woman. How did this impact her life as an adult living with autism?
Loss plays a key part in Tom’s story. Discuss how his personal trauma leads to his eventual depression and break from society. Was there any moment surrounding these events that you empathised with?
DJ has never had a strong male influence in his life until he meets Tom. As their friendship develops and strengthens in what ways do they influence each other?
How do the connections between Tom, Ruth, DJ and the residents of The Silver Sands Lodge make a positive impact on each of their lives?
Ruth does many small acts of kindness throughout the story and the ripple effect reaches not just Tom, but also many of the residents of The Silver Sands Lodge. Have you ever experienced a random act of kindness?
Which character did you relate to the most and what was it about them that you connected with?
Have any moments in the book inspired you to reach out to anyone?
Who saves who in this novel?
How did you feel about the ending? Is it what you were expecting?
If you loved A Thousand Roads Home, then why not dip into some other books by Carmel Harrington …
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About the Author
Irish Times bestseller Carmel Harrington is from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her husband Roger and two young children, Amelia and Nate.
Carmel has published seven novels, been shortlisted two years running for the Irish Book Awards (2016 & 2017) and won two writing awards – Kindle Book of the Year 2013 and Romantic eBook of the Year 2013. Her books have captured the hearts of readers worldwide and have been translated into eight languages to date.
Previous novels include The Woman at 72 Derry Lane and the official ITV novel Cold Feet: The Lost Years.
Carmel is a regular panellist on TV3’s Elaine and Midday shows. If that wasn’t enough to make the juggle struggle real, she is co-founder of The Inspiration Project and Chair of Wexford Literary festival.
Carmel loves to chat to her readers, so do get in touch.
www.facebook.com/happymrsh/
@HappyMrsH
www.carmelharrington.com
Also by Carmel Harrington
Beyond Grace’s Rainbow
The Life You Left
Every Time a Bell Rings
The Things I Should Have Told You
The Woman at 72 Derry Lane
About the Publisher
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United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
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United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
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http://www.harpercollins.com